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The Shoshone
The vast territory belonging
to the Shoshonean linguistic stock of the large Uto-Aztecan family once
stretched from the rugged Cascades and Sierra Nevadas to the northern Plains,
then southward almost into Mexico. With the exception of the Washos of
California, it included all of the Indians in the Great
Basin area-the Shoshonis, the Paiutes (Paviotsos), the Bannocks
(Northern Paiutes), Commanches, and the Utes. There was a variety of
dialects, but the natives had little difficulty understanding each other.
With their linguistic bond and cultural
similarity, they were not readily distinguishable. Yet the Shoshoni
(Snake) Indians, bearing the linguistic name and speaking the
Shoshoni-Comanche dialect, are unique in that they show the influence of
three distinct cultures-namely, the Basin, the Plateau, and the Plains.
Their territory, separate from that of their kinsmen, the Paiutes and Utes,
stretched continuously from the desert area of California, across the central
and northwestern Nevada, then across Utah and Idaho into Wyoming, over the
Rockies and on to the Plains, with the Comanche branch pushing southeastward
through Colorado deep into Texas.
The Great Treaty Council. officially known as
the Fort Bridger Treaty Council of 1868, was highly significant as it was the
last treaty council called for the purpose of establishing a
reservation. Thereafter, all reservations were created by executive
order.-Excerpts from The
Shoshonis, Sentinels of the Rockies by
Vurgina Cole Trenholm and Maurine Carley-the( spelling of the word
shoshone differs in the book)
The Eastern Shoshone of the Wind River Reservation
The Eastern Shoshone are located on the Wind
River Reservation, which is located in the central region of the state of Wyoming. The
reservation is home to two tribes: the Northern Arapaho and the Eastern
Shoshone. The tribes operate as two separate tribal governments.
The reservation covers 2,268,008 acres. There are 2,650 Eastern
Shoshone.
The tribal headquarters of the reservation is
1,702. The per capita income is $4,340. Almost 63% of the
residents have a high school diploma and over 6% have a Bachelor's Degree or
higher.
SACAJAWEA
Original Sacajawea Patina Statue, measuring 7'
from base, will be dedicated and placed in the Sacajawea Cemetery, Fort
Washakie, Wyoming on Memorial Day, 2002
Burial register on File at Robert's Mission
Pages 114-115:
Day Date No.
Names
Age B.C.C. Cause of
Death
1884 April 9
10 Bazil's Mother
(Shoshone)
100
Old Age
Place of
Burial
Signature of Clergyman
Burial Ground Shoshone
Agency
J. Roberts
"This
sculpture represents a truly remarkable young Lemhi Shoshone woman who has
just made a journey of 3,000 miles with the Lewis and Clark Expedition and is
viewing the Pacific Ocean. The sand
dollar significant, as it was given to Chief Washakie. He wore it with
honor in many historical pictures"-Excerpt from Brochure
Limited Edition
Sacajawea Marquette -
13.5"
Lewis and Clark
Expedition
Sacajawea, the quiet 16-year-old mother, became an
invaluable member of the Expedition because of her knowledge of the Shoshone
homeland they would pass through. On of her most important contributions
to Lewis and Clark was to reassure them that they were indeed on the route to
the westward passage to the "Great Waters".
Her heritage of survival skills in the wilderness
enabled her to identify many Indian signs. From the very beginning of
the journey, she proved extremely knowledgeable in finding edible plants,
roots, and berries to supplement the cache of supplies. The presence of
Sacajawea and her baby Jean Baptiste, reassured other Indian warriors of the
peaceful intentions of the Expedition.
Her native tongue of Shoshone, was desperately needed to
interpret and negotiate for horses. The reuniting of Sacajawea and her
brother, Chief Cameahwait, could not have been more opportune for the
Expedition. The Lemhi Shoshone were expert horseman and were Lewis and
Clark's only hope to trade for the horses to continue westward over the Rocky
Mountains.
Throughout the tremendous journey, on foot, horseback or
many times in the handcrafted canoes, Sacajawea contributed to the success of
the Expedition. She showed courage, when they were in perilous
circumstances; and she was resourceful in finding food and making clothing;
and over the 21 months of the journey, she became a truly remarkable, and
admired member of the Expedition.
Her life after the Expedition is controversial.
Her son, Jean Baptiste was adopted and educated by Captain Clark. Her
adopted son, Bazil, remained in the Northern Shoshone areas. In later
years, Sacajawea returned to the Shoshone homeland to live near Bazil.
Many recorded documents and statements made by descendents, officials at Fort Washakie,
and by the federal government record her death and burial place at the Sacajawea Cemetery,
Fort Washakie, Wyoming in 1884.
About the Artist
Bud Boller
Bud began sculpting 30 years ago, and
has become a premier western artist. The love of the history of the
west, his heritage as a Shoshone Indian, and his ability to bring life to the
bronze through his use of action and emotion make his sculptures live.
Bud's perspective as an artist is
depicted through many renditions of western life, Indian scenes of battle,
escape, heroism of the warriors of America, cowboys, and the wildlife are a
vital part of Wyoming.
His Christian art is a work of love, depicting many scenes from the Bible and
making many stories three-dimensional. The subject of each of his works is
carefully studied and researched, then hand sculpted to present an authentic,
as well as aesthetic piece of art.
Bud has won several awards from invitational
shows such as the Heard Museum, Phoenix, AZ; the Inter-Tribal Indian
Ceremonial, Gallup, NM; and the Death Valley 49'ers Encampment Invitational
Art Show, Death Valley, CA. In 1995, the Wyoming Governor's Award
honored his work for Art. His sculptures are in Israel, Spain,
Mexico, Japan, and throughout the United States.
Bud Boller is an enrolled member of the
Shoshone Indian Tribe, was born in 1928, and now resides on a ranch in the
Wind River Reservation near Dubois, Wyoming.
Bud
Boller (307) 455-2852
PBS Documentary
Lewis & Clark/Sacagawea
The
1868 Treaty at one time included the area where the
Shoshone-Bannock of Fort Hall, Idaho
reside
Some links
Shoshone-Bannock Home Page
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